Unlike ice-based gels and sprays, physicool combines compression and support with sustained cooling. Research shows that the therapeutic benefits of cold therapy are enhanced by the simultaneous compression of the affected area (Capps, 2007). The aim of compression is to stop haemorrhage (bleeding) and reduce swelling. Compression is applied to limit the amount of oedema (tissue swelling) caused by the release of fluid from the damaged capillaries into the surrounding tissues. Controlling the amount of inflammatory exudate helps to control the osmotic pressure of the tissue fluid in the injured area (Bekerom, 2012).

Cryotherapy is widely used as a beneficial treatment in both the early management and the rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries (Kennet, 2007). The temperature of the underlying tissues is reduced by the withdrawal of heat energy away from the body to achieve a therapeutic effect; reducing tissue temperature, blood flow, pain, and metabolism in the affected area. When Physicool is used correctly, the bandage will feel warm to the touch on the outside. This indicates that the coolant is evaporating and drawing heat away from the affected area.

Following the removal of a Physicool bandage, the cooling process within the deeper tissues will continue as the skin and superficial tissues rewarm by drawing heat from the deeper tissues. This transfers cooling to the underlying tissues (Kennet, 2007).

Cryotherapy has many well-documented benefits including:

Effective reduction of pain and swelling, with few complications (Swensen, 1996)

Localised analgesic effect around the affected area which helps control pain (Bleakley, 2007)